Sparkling debut puts Ferres in frame for long stint

The Huddersfield Giants second-row completed a remarkable ascension to tackle the Kangaroos on Saturday.

He did not even make Steve McNamara’s original 24-man squad and was only added six days before the tournament’s kick-off following Gareth Hock’s infamous expulsion.

However, Ferres then found himself starting against the Green and Golds at Cardiff where, undaunted, he produced an impressive 70-minute display.

Given the comfortable manner in which he dealt with the situation, consistently challenging the rival pack in the 28-20 defeat, Ferres certainly deserves to retain his place against Ireland this weekend at Huddersfield.

“It would be perfect playing there,” he admitted, contemplating that prospect.

“When I looked at the fixtures I eyed that one and thought it would be great to play in it.

“I really enjoyed it out there against the Aussies at the weekend.

“I was a little bit stunned when I found out I’d be playing.

“Obviously when you are in the squad you have got to try and earn your stripes and keep building your way up.

“I had a really good couple of weeks in South Africa (England’s training camp), though, and prepared really well with the lads.

“I got an opportunity to play for England Knights against Samoa and Steve obviously deemed I did well enough and was fit enough to play.

“So, I was really pleased with the opportunity.

“Hopefully, I took it with both hands and if I keep playing well I will get more opportunities like this.”

That seems inevitable; Ferres was England’s top tackler with 36, missing just one, while he was a forceful runner on the left edge.

They had surged into a 10-0 lead against their opponents, defying much of the pre-match pessimism shrouding their chances.

“We knew we could play like that,” said Ferres.

“We could believe we were in that position. We have got a good squad and we had trained really well building up to the game.

“It was just disappointing we didn’t turn the screw. It was probably a missed opportunity.

“We played well for 25 to 30 minutes, then just clocked off and they scored a couple of quick tries.

“A quality side punishes you like that. In the second half, we didn’t really kick on from that opening spell in the first.”

Ferres – a rangy runner – is a relative latecomer to the international scene, but clearly a quick learner.

He turns 28 in April and played at four different Super League clubs – Bradford Bulls, Wakefield Trinity, Castleford Tigers and now Huddersfield – before being recognised at the top level.

Always a talented youngster, Ferres toured Australia with England Academy and, when still just 19, was in the Bradford team that won the 2006 World Club Challenge against Benji Marshall’s Wests Tigers.

However, it was at the end of that season that, ironically, McNamara – then in charge at Odsal – released him as a makeweight in a deal that took Trinity’s Kiwi star David Solomona to Bradford.

After a difficult time at Wakefield, Ferres thrived at hometown Castleford but it is in Huddersfield colours where his game has developed so markedly in the last 15 months.

Relishing the extra responsibilty of the vice-captaincy, he became a fulcrum of the Huddersfield side that won the League Leaders’ Shield and made his debut in the Super League Dream Team too.

He was the leading back-row try-scorer in the competition, with 15, and, given his handling skill, too, it was a major surprise he was only taken to South Africa as a training reserve.

Other players may have felt piqued in such a situation but Ferres said: “I didn’t think like that; it was another opportunity for me.

“I have come a long way this season and I back myself with my ability and knowing what I can do.

“Obviously, I showed enough to finally get the nod and hopefully I haven’t done Steve a discredit.”

There was no danger of that as Ferres threw himself into the action, enjoying one particular fiery match-up with the always-aggressive Paul Gallen.

“It is a step up because there are more quality players out there,” he continued. “You can’t take your eye off the ball for one second because there are 13 great players in front of you.

“But I thought I did okay.

“I want more now though. It’s international football and I want to be a part of it.”

That should occur in the familiar surroundings of John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday as England seek to avoid any mishaps and deliver a win over Ireland to get them up and running. Huddersfield colleague Leroy Cudjoe also acquitted himself well at the weekend, scoring England’s second try, so he should be able to savour an international appearance on home turf too.

With Giants full-back Scott Grix set to be in the Ireland ranks as well, there will be plenty of local flavour as the World Cup arrives at the birthplace of the sport.

One thing is for certain; Hock’s misdemeanour has ensured Ferres’s well-deserved arrival on the international scene.